What do King Crabs Eat?
Some 113 species of king crab inhabit the world’s oceans, and include some of the heftiest of all crustaceans. These creatures, some of which are exceptionally desirable commercially, eat a wide range of foods.BackgroundDeep-water species of king crabs are found in most oceans, especially in depths between 1,600 and almost 5,000 feet. There are shallower-water species, however, at higher latitudes.DietThe Alaska Department of Fish and Game compiles an impressive list of prey items for king crabs in general, from sand dollars and worms to detritus and algae. The menu depends on the given type’s habitat preferences, biology and size.A Specific ExampleThe Puget Sound king crab, a dramatically colored species ranging from Alaska to California, feasts mainly on echinoderms like sea urchins.Age PreferenceA study from the late 1980s in Argentina’s Beagle Channel, analyzing the stomachs of 282 false southern king crabs, revealed information about diet and age in the crustaceans. Where adults c
